Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

OK, try this:

 

1. Let you Mac cool down.

2. Boot it and press cmd-s (Comand key + S) for single user boot.

3. Wait until the the you can enter a comand (the prompt is root#)

4. Type 'exit' and wait until the familiar login screen apears.

5. Open gfxCardStatus and select 'integrated only'

 

Thanks for this tip! I have been trying to start my macbook all day, this method did the trick

apple_power wrote:

 

@ mikkelnl

mikkelnl wrote:

 

apple_power wrote:

 

 

Yes, go to the Preferences-Energy-Saver, there is a checkbox in the top section "Automatic graphics switching", uncheck this.,,

 

Are you sure? I always thought this option means: always use the dedicated chip, not the integrated.

 

 

You can also use gfxCardStatus, DL here http://gfx.io/

 

enjoy your APPLE

This is the way I've had mine setup for a very long time:

Energy Saver:  Automatic graphics switching is unchecked (off)

gfxCardStatus:  Set to "Integrated Only" and set to "restore last used mode at start-up"

Note, though, that if you change to "Dynamic Switching" in gfxCS, that will also change the setting in Energy Saver.  It should switch back when you go to "Integrated Only".  But check to be sure.  It might not happen if something is still using the discreet?

I've never had to change anything at startup.  It's always the same.

I should mention that I'm using an older version of gfxCS.  I'm using 2.1.  Maybe some things have changed in later versions?

Honestly, I've never played with it much because I've never used my discreet GPU that much.  I've had it set up this way from the first or second day that I owned the computer, nearly two years, long before I even knew about this potential problem. 

My curiosity here is that some have mentioned simple things like VLC forcing a switch to discreet.  I've never experienced this.  I'd remember because that's the sort of thing that would really annoy me.  The HD3000 is PLENTY for playing HD video.  A GMA series would be plenty.  Heck, my ten year old PowerPC rig handles it pretty well.  Except for connecting an external display, I've never had anything force a switch to discreet.  ****, for the fun of it, I ran World of Warcraft a few days ago and even that didn't force a switch to discreet.  I don't like laptop gaming, it was just a test, but was actually quite playable on low settings on the HD3000.  But maybe since all of these applications were first launched while locked to integrated, they don't try to make any switches when launched later?  I don't know.

Just found out that the issue is common, and that I'm one of the afflicted...

My specs:

Macbook Pro 8,2, Late 2011

AMD 6770M

Video glitches started in July, and only got worse over time. Couple of weeks ago the divided screen glitch first manifested, and now crashes are constant.

Installed gfxCardStatus and set to integrated only, seems to work as a bandaid.

Apple must work out a replacement or repair program. This situation is outrageous, I'm a video graphics professional and I have work to do...

Okay, so as recommended, I am branching to this thread from where I originally posted:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4637833?start=105&tstart=0

in the hopes that it will make Apple pay more attention to this issue, as they should since so many users/owners are affected by the same problem.

Maybe this has already been discussed - sorry, I can't keep up with all the posts - but a buddy of mine who's more tech-savvy than me came up with this "solution." He made a simple Automator macro that launches gfx card status at startup, so that the MBP will automatically switch to the integrated graphics card when it boots. It's far from perfect - I have to disconnect my FW device before booting, otherwise it doesn't work - but it might provide help for those who are worried about shutting their MBP down for fear that the screwed up display at startup won't allow them to log in. I still leave mine in sleep mode and run the integrated card only all the time, and that seems to work for my (non-graphics intensive) needs, so far.

Still, Apple needs to address this flaw ASAP. There are so many, many unhappy customers. And yes, I've already posted to mbp2011.com, as should anyone affected who hasn't already done so.

fluorotone wrote:

 

Okay, so as recommended, I am branching to this thread from where I originally posted:

 

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4637833?start=105&tstart=0

 

in the hopes that it will make Apple pay more attention to this issue, as they should since so many users/owners are affected by the same problem.

 

Maybe this has already been discussed - sorry, I can't keep up with all the posts - but a buddy of mine who's more tech-savvy than me came up with this "solution." He made a simple Automator macro that launches gfx card status at startup, so that the MBP will automatically switch to the integrated graphics card when it boots. It's far from perfect - I have to disconnect my FW device before booting, otherwise it doesn't work - but it might provide help for those who are worried about shutting their MBP down for fear that the screwed up display at startup won't allow them to log in. I still leave mine in sleep mode and run the integrated card only all the time, and that seems to work for my (non-graphics intensive) needs, so far.

 

Still, Apple needs to address this flaw ASAP. There are so many, many unhappy customers. And yes, I've already posted to mbp2011.com, as should anyone affected who hasn't already done so.

Hi,

That Automator script; does it set gfxcardstatus to use Integrated chip, or does it simply start-up gfxcardstatus? If the scipt also sets the app to use integrated chip; could I get a copy please?

I need a solution to have cardgfxstatus remember the 'only integrated' option after a reboot - this option is not available in the recent version anymore

gfxCardStatus version 2.2.1 can be downloaded from http://mac.majorgeeks.com/files/details/gfxcardstatus.html

Not sure if it offers the feature you want.

I'm in an Apple store right now with my busted 2011 MBP. Going to try and negotiate some sort of deal on a retina.. I'm a freelancer and I NEED a machine! Wish me luck..

Good luck with that, but I don't think they will negotiate until they accept there's an issue...

Still no news from Apple and my mac is as usefull as a screwdriver in a jellowcake.

I'll get a new one tomorow as I can't aford not to work (and for that I'm getting a 2 years credit).

Let's hope Apple IS TAKING CARE OF this situation and WILL do her best to accomodate everyone.

I still think altough it's great to spit on them, they do not seem to behave differently than any other big company outthere. Sony has had bad series, Dell too, even when you manage to make your very own computer you may experience something like we are right now. That's just the way it is nowadays. Nothing is 100% reliable. And the more people there is between us and the guy who actually can do something, the less we have control and power over it. We have to keep feeding this thread with info and finding ways to help each other with little hacks and workarounds.

Please let Apple FIX, this problem. If you go and get your macbookpro all teared appart switching part and baking them, how do you think you'll be treated when (if) Apple decides to change logicboards ? At least keep track and bills of all the work you give to professional repair shop.

Does anyeone know how Apple reacted to that fro previous cases ?

Thanks everybody for all the messages and all the great ideas and info you're providin here.

Maybe Santa's comming early with some good news for us all.

Cheers

Well after showing the tech my machine, politely arguing the toss with the sales manager, it was agreed I could get a 10% discount on a new retina. Then I was served by another sales rep who obviously took a shine to me as he gave me a new Haswell MBP 512gb 16gb 2.3, Apple care and a Thunderbolt to FW adapter all for just over £1900 (top level student discount I think!).

I ran into this problem with my late 2011 15" MBP with 6770M last week.  I am using the gfxCardStatus workaround for now, but I had been planning on playing some games and doing some video editing, guess I won't be able to do that now.  Time to look for a Windows laptop...

I see some people think the problem might be related to a "SMC" update.  When was this update released?  I ask because I have Boot Camp on my MBP and actually hadn't booted into Mac OS X in months, was just booted into Windows for a long time.  So if the SMC update came out recently, then I can say for sure it's not related to that.  My video related crashes actually started happening in Windows, and then when I tried booting into Mac OS X, same thing happened.

Also I see some people saying they have fixed the problem with reballing or reflowing or whatever - are you sure that works?  I have to think if the GPU has overheated, then it's too late.  Maybe you have bought yourself some time, but you will probably see the crashes again eventually.

slapple1 wrote:

...Also I see some people saying they have fixed the problem with reballing or reflowing or whatever - are you sure that works?  I have to think if the GPU has overheated, then it's too late.  Maybe you have bought yourself some time, but you will probably see the crashes again eventually.

For now, it's probably best to wait and see if Apple makes a move on this.  It has only been a few weeks since this issue has climbed from the discussion forums into the columns of tech writers.  That could be enough to give Apple a little nudge.  But it really would be nice to hear something from Apple even if they haven't figured out exactly what to do about it yet. 

The concern is that an unauthorized repair could void your eligibility for any future program that Apple creates for this.

That said, if it comes to it, it's a reball (not reflow) that you would want to inquire about.  You would want to find someone with a good reputation to do a reball with lead based solder.  A reflow only heats up existing solder.  It is nearly always a very short-term solution (a few weeks to a few months).  In contrast, a reball procedure will remove the old solder and replace it with something better. 

Again, though, my advice for now is to hold off for a little while.

Okay guys, I've got my mac back (once again, logic board replaced for the second time) and it seems to be fine.

I've run some benchmarks and switched gpus without issues. I'll try to play some games this weekend in order to test it thoroughly.

However, after updating it (Early 2011 17'') the SMC version is 1.70f3, which doesn't match the latest shown on Apple website http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1237 (which is 1.70f6, SMC v1.7).

So this could mean they're investigating the issue and this update could be related to it...

That said, if it comes to it, it's a reball (not reflow) that you would want to inquire about.

No, you want to inquire about a GPU replacement, not a reball and certainly not a reflow. If done right a reball is a high risk high cost measure that only makes sense if you really need to preserve a particular chip at any price.

I just wish Apple releases a press statement saying that they are currently working on the issue ( if they are), or just say something if theyre not gonna do anything about it, that way we can all lose that little hope were hanging on.

Usually Apple takes a lot less time to work around this sort of problems